SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography has announced a remarkable first: the successful hatching of more than 3,000 Red Octopus hatchlings — a species native to the California coast and known for its vivid red coloration.
The milestone marks a major achievement for the aquarium’s Husbandry Team, which discovered a female Red Octopus guarding tens of thousands of tiny eggs in a behind-the-scenes habitat. According to staff, the eggs were likely fertilized by a male before the octopus arrived at the facility.
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Each egg, smaller than a grain of rice, was carefully monitored as it developed. Over the following weeks, aquarium experts witnessed an incredible transformation. They watched the yolk sacs shrink, chromatophores (the cells responsible for the octopus’s red color) begin to emerge, and even saw vital organs — including the species’ three hearts — take shape.
Adult Red Octopuses can reach up to 20 inches in length. Known for their problem-solving abilities and dramatic color changes, the species is a favorite among marine enthusiasts and researchers alike.
For now, the newborn octopuses will remain off public display as they continue to grow, staff confirmed. However, a later opportunity may come to see these octopuses in-person…